WestJet’s 4,400 flight attendants initiated a strike early on Sunday, 2 August 2026, leading to the cancellation of over 300 mainline flights across Canada and affecting approximately 250,000 passengers nationwide, according to 650 CKOM.
Flight Cancellations at Regina International Airport
Regina International Airport experienced cancellations of WestJet flights to key destinations including Toronto, Halifax, and Vancouver. CEO James Bogusz reported the strike removed 600 to 700 WestJet seats from the local market on that day. WestJet accounts for about 60 percent of Regina’s total seat capacity, making the disruption larger than the 2025 Air Canada flight attendant strike in the city.
WestJet mainline flights operating larger
Boeing 737 aircraft were halted, while WestJet Encore flights continued normal operations. Bogusz emphasized that even after negotiations conclude, resumption of mainline service will require additional time to restart.
Strike Picketing and Cancellations at Saskatoon International Airport
Although Saskatoon International Airport is not a base for WestJet, several flight attendants reside locally and were picketing alongside CUPE Local 8125 and CUPE Saskatchewan President Kent Peterson on 2 August. Flights to Calgary, Toronto, Vancouver, and Minneapolis-St. Paul were cancelled from Saskatoon on the strike day.
Peterson stated the union members had been without a collective agreement for over 200 days. He highlighted the principal bargaining dispute as fair compensation
for all work time, including ground duties not paid by WestJet.
Passenger Impact and Experiences
Multiple passengers reported long delays and extensive challenges rebooking flights amid the strike. Mike and Ashton Phenix from Okotoks, Alberta described phone hold times exceeding 19 hours to reach WestJet customer service. Some travelers, unable to find WestJet alternatives, booked other airlines at personal expense.
Passengers at major hubs including Regina, Saskatoon, and Toronto Pearson International Airport faced cancellations and extended layovers. Karissa Sehn and Carissa Fontaine spent the night at Toronto airport after flights to Saskatoon were canceled, reporting little assistance from staff. Mary Magnuson, traveling from Moose
Jaw to Minneapolis, remained less concerned with her flight still scheduled. Other travelers expressed frustration with lost vacation days and disrupted schedules.
Labor Negotiations and Official Statements
The strike followed failed negotiations in Calgary before the strike deadline. WestJet had provided a 72-hour lockout notice on 30 July 2026, the same day CUPE announced strike action. The last collective agreement expired on 31 December 2025, and the main issues include pay for all working time, especially ground duty compensation.
WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech expressed disappointment at the strike, stating the airline had presented a proposal with a 13 percent wage increase effective October 2026,
retroactive pay to 1 January 2026, a 13 percent per diem hike, expanded healthcare benefits, and quality-of-life improvements. The union rejected this offer.
CUPE Local 8125 President Alia Hussain framed the strike as a fight for better pay and conditions, criticizing WestJet’s failure to seriously address concerns during 11 months of bargaining. CUPE Saskatchewan President Kent Peterson emphasized that every second at work should be paid, a point WestJet’s offer did not meet.
Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu expressed disappointment that no agreement was reached but refrained from indicating government intervention, reiterating that strong deals occur at the bargaining table.
